Like most Brazilian fighters, Sergio Junior takes a special pride in flashy cage entrances. If he gets his way tonight at Bellator 100, he’s hoping to replicate the one seen in the video above.

Junior, who’s been known by many names (previously billed as “Luis Melo”) during a decorated career on the Brazilian circuit, gets a second chance to shine on one of MMA’s bigger stages tonight. And he wants to mark the occasion with a special dance.

“Thankfully here in Brazil I’m pretty well known because I put on great entrances, as well as a great show in the cage,” Junior told MMAjunkie.com during a recent phone interview. “I learned early on to be an entertainer in MMA. Anyone watching me should know they’re in for the best fight, submission or knockout of the night. And even if I lose, it will be a hard-fought battle.

“One of my trademarks is a dance I do before the fight. I hope the athletic commission will allow me to do it. I didn’t get to do it in my Bellator debut, but I asked them during the post-conference, and [Bellator] said yes.”

Junior initially was slated to fight UFC vet Matthew Riddle, who eventually announced an injury and subsequently retired. He now fights big-show vet Keslar, though other notables such as Brent Weedman, Rich Hawn and War Machine could meet him in later rounds. However, Junior’s riding a six-fight winning streak, which he largely credits to his move to Rio de Janeiro and his work with Renovacao Fight Team.

“We’ve been working towards the goal of earning our place in MMA for a very long time now,” he said. “Now we have our own fighters who made it to the UFC, like Luiz Dutra and Jose Maria Tome. Sergio ‘Betao’ Nogueira and Genair da Silva have both done well in Bellator. And I hope, God willing, to win my own tournament. I think we’re all representing luta livre well.”

Junior started his kickboxing training when he was just 9, and then mixed in some karate. By the time he was 17, vale tudo (MMA) training became his focus. Since then he’s fought frequently in Brazil and racked up a solid record against the nation’s better fighters. Still, he was ready to hang up his gloves about three years ago.

“I was thinking about quitting MMA,” he said. “I never did enjoy grappling with a gi. Then I was told about the guys at RFT in Rio, which is a luta livre academy with fighter lodging. My manager then called coach Marcio ‘Cromado,’ and I made the move to Rio.”

With the focus on freestyle grappling, Junior’s love of fighting was re-sparked. His career got a boost, Bellator took notice, and now the 32-year-old believes his ultimate goal is within reach.

“I think I’ve faced almost all the best talent in Brazil,” he said. “I’m glad to have reached a higher plateau now, in Bellator. I’ll be doing everything in my power to become the welterweight champion.”

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